Established in 1997, The What to Expect Foundation is a 501(c)3 public operating charity founded by Heidi Murkoff, the author of the best-selling pregnancy and parenting series, What to Expect. We employ the latest evidence-based strategies in the fields of health, education, and communication to train health care providers how to recognize if their patients do not understand health messages, and to provide them tools and training to overcome those obstacles. Because every mom deserves to expect a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, a healthy baby and a healthy future. Because knowledge is power, but it is especially powerful when a woman is pregnant or bringing a new life into the world. Because every mom among us is worthy of respect, reassurance, empathy and support. To feel safe, secure, nurtured, confident, cared for and cared about. Because every mom wants what is best for her pregnancy and her baby. Because too many moms die of preventable causes during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Because healthy futures start with healthy beginnings. We envision a world where all expecting moms, in the U.S. and around the world, receive the vital, science-based information and the compassionate, culturally and linguistically-appropriate, and community-specific support needed to have a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. Where moms not only survive pregnancy and childbirth, but thrive for a lifetime. The What to Expect Foundation was transitioned into the What to Expect Project in 2019.
